Kmart employee severely attacked outside of store

New surveillance video shows a brutal attack outside a Port Charlotte Kmart. Three men kicked and punched a Kmart employee until he was knocked unconscious. It happened after the worker confronted a man about stealing something from the store.

Deputies are still looking for the people who did this, and an eyewitness who saw the attack is now speaking out to ask for the public's help.

Kmart customer and eyewitness, Michael, who is still anxious for his own safety, says he jumped into the action in an attempt to thwart the attack.

"[I was] just doing the right thing. I thought if it was me I would want somebody to help out," Michael said.

Surveillance cameras were rolling in January as three men walked into the Port Charlotte Kmart and headed for the electronics section. Deputies say one man took an item and hid it in his pants before exiting the store. Kmart's loss prevention manager, Frank Matos, followed the man out of the store…and that's when things got ugly.

Deputies say the other two men rushed out of the store and joined in to beat up Matos. On the surveillance video you can see people inside the store running and the men kick Matos in the face, leaving him unconscious.

"Right in the face, like a football just punted," Michael said.

The suspects escaped on bicycles, but the damage was done. Matos suffered a broken jaw, which was wired shut for weeks, and several broken teeth. Doctors said he could have died.

Matos is still recovering from his injuries.

"It's horrible. He's doing his job…he shouldn't have to suffer for doing his own job," Michael said.

Deputies say what could have been a misdemeanor shoplifting charge is now a felony battery.

"As far back as I can remember, this is probably the first time it's ever gotten to a point where somebody actually got hurt," said Deputy Joseph Fiorini, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.